Environmental Impact Statement - radioactive monticello

Appendix E
discharge (NSP 2004). Among the 27:specles collected by electroshocking, the major species
Include the shorthead redhorse (Moiostoma macrolepidotum). silver redhorse (M. anisurum).
common carp (Cypnnus carpio), srnilmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), northern hog sucker
(Hypentelium nigricans); white sucker (Catostomn 4ommersohn),,channel s
catfish (Ictalurus
punctatus), and walleye (Sander yitreus) (NSP 2004). Forty-four species have been collected
In seining samples since 1970. The major species collected Include the sand shiner (Notropis
stramineus), spotfin shiner (Cypdinela spiloptera), bluntnose minnow (Pimnephales notatus), and
bigmouth shiner (N. dorsaffs) (NSP 2004)....
The spotfin and sand shiners are the rnajor forage fish -species in the'area (NSP 2004).
Common game species Included the smallmouth bass, black crappie (Pomoxis
nlgromaculatus); yellow perch (Perca flavescens), and walleye: Other sport fish include
northern pike (Esox lucus), common carp; and black bullhead (Arnelurus melas) (Amish et al.
1978). A commercial fishery does not occur near Monticello (Amish et al. 1978).
The major primary produce rs within the Monticello area are periphyton.which contribute an
estimated 60 to 82% of the primary production In the Monticello area (Amish et al. 1978). Peak
pedphyton production occurs In summer. Phytoplankton In the Upper Mississippi River is
dominated by diatoms and green algae,. and contributes..18 to 40% of the primary productivity In
the Monticello area.("Aish et al 1978). The macrophytesifound In the immediate area near.
Monticello Include the American pondweed (Potamogeton nodosus). sago pondweed
(Stuckenia pectinatus), and antifever fontinalis moss (Fontinalis antipyretica). The macroscopic
green alga (Cladophora glomerata) also occurs in the area. Overall, a low abundance of
macrophytes occurs in theMonticello area due to high currents and shifting sand and gravel
substrates (Amish et al. 1978).
Near Monticello, the zooplankton community is comprised of protozoans, rotifers, cladocerans,
and copepods (Afzal et al. 1975; Amish et al. 1978).
The most abundant groups of benthic macroinvertebrates near Monticello Include oligochaetes
(aquatic annelid worms), mayflies, caddisflles, aquatic beetles, midges, black flies, aquatic
-snails, and fingernail dams (Amish et al.'1978). The non-channel areas of th6 Upper
Mississippi River consistently support more benthic macroinvertebrate speclesthan the main
channel area (USGS 1999). This-was also noted near Monticello where 66 genera (of
macroinvertebrates were collected In the backwaters, while only 24 genera were collected from
the main channel (Amish et al. 1978).
The Upper Mississippi River contains a rich assemblage of freshwater mussels. Historically, as
many as 50 species of mussels have been docurnihted from the Upper Mississippi River, but
only 30 species have been reported In recent surveys. Many are rare (i.e.. listed as
endangered, threatened, or of special concermby one or more states [USGS 1999]). The
freshwatermussels within the Upper Mississippi River have been adveisely Impacted by
activiJes such as collection for fh pear! button and cultured pearl Industries,. siltation
(associated with agriculture, poor land management, and Impoundments), pollution from
4
I NUREG-1437, Supplement 26 E-20 August 2006